Lazarus Project: Mass Effect 2 (Shenko)

Chapter 23

Milky Way/Serpent Nebula/Widow System/Citadel

Earth year: 2185 CE --- April

Kaidan startled awake, the dark of his apartment adding to his sense of disorientation. The dream had been intense. Everything was burning, the smoke stinging his eyes and lungs as he struggled to breathe and fight his way clear.

Breathing deep in an effort to calm his racing heart, he concentrated on slowing his breathing as the coolness of the bed sheets and the lights of the Citadel slowly swam into focus. He hadn't had one that bad in a long time and he was not happy about it.

Rising from bed, he got a glass of water and leaned against the counter to drink it. It took some time before reality had fully reasserted itself and he began to feel like himself again. He was on the Citadel, waiting for new orders before he and his squad headed out again.

Even with the passage of time, being on the Citadel never got easier. It never failed to remind him of Shepard and the first time he'd stepped foot on the station at her side. He was certain it was what had triggered the nightmare, though it didn't explain the intensity. He could have sworn he'd heard Shepard calling his name –something that had never happened before. The pain he'd heard in her voice had been so real, it was all he could do to convince himself it was nothing more than a bad dream. It didn't help that it was the fourth time this week he'd had the same dream and it was beginning to show in the dark circles under his eyes.

He'd done what he could to move on with his life after Anderson had found him. Had even met a doctor for drinks on the Citadel just last week. With his squad and the mission Anderson had given him for the past year or so, he'd been kept busy and purposeful enough that the nightmares had soon become nothing more than a bad memory. Until now.

The pain of losing her still hurt and there were times when he wondered if he would ever be free of her memory. The love they'd shared had been beautiful, making everyone he met pale in comparison. It was why he hadn't dated. It didn't seem fair to the women he met who would never be equal to the woman Shepard had been. He knew it wasn't healthy thinking that way, but after two years it still hadn't changed. But he'd made peace with that. If loving her and being loved by her had been his moment of happiness he wouldn't trade it for anything. He'd take the memory and  feel blessed to have been close to her.

Orange light filled the room accompanied by a soft ping as a message came through on his omni-tool. Placing the now empty glass on the counter, Kaidan opened it.

"Lieutenant Alenko,

I need to see you in my office in the Citadel Embassies. I have a mission for you and your team. I trust your time on the Citadel has been pleasant enough and that you're anxious to get back to work. See you soon.

Councillor David Anderson"

Good, Kaidan thought, moving to his bedroom to pack his bag and dress. The sooner he was off the Citadel, the sooner he'd be free of these nightmares. Or so he hoped.

"Ah Lieutenant." Anderson greeted him as he shook his hand. "It's good to see you."

"Likewise sir." Kaidan said.

A shadow passed over Anderson's face as he took in Kaidan's haggard appearance. "You doing all right Alenko? You look tired."

"Just some bad dreams. Nothing to worry about."

"I see, well in that case maybe this assignment will help." He said, taking his seat. "I'm sending you to you a remote colony in the Traverse as part of an outreach program to improve public opinion of the Alliance."